Photo: Kenneth C. Zirkel · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Attleboro faces less hazard damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Attleboro gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #147 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%), then hurricanes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 58 claims here since 1978.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What stands out about Attleboro’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Attleboro faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Hurricanes
Earthquakes
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Attleboro’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Attleboro, and Attleboro’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 11% (higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #147 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Attleboro’s residents live in 9 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Massachusetts town has lower expected damage than 76% of U.S. towns; within the state, Attleboro has more expected damage per building than 52% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.7M a year in losses across Attleboro: $5.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Attleboro flood? Sometimes: 58 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Attleboro, from FEMA’s records: 3.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 52% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2010 nor’easter17 claims · $305K
Attleboro isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Bristol County.13 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Attleboro
Disasters that paid out in Attleboro itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Attleboro), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding160 households applied for aid$794K aid approved11 flood claims paid that year
- 2022Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$236K to the City of Attleboro for repairs
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$56K to the City of Attleboro for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$310K to the City of Attleboro for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$197K to the City of Attleboro for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$44K to the City of Attleboro for repairs
Show all 13
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$136K to the City of Attleboro for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding670 households applied for aid$871K aid approved$57K to the City of Attleboro for repairs18 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding45 households applied for aid$47K aid approved
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$23K to the City of Attleboro for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$163K to the City of Attleboro for repairs
- 2003Snow$128K to the City of Attleboro for repairs
- 2003Snow$88K to the City of Attleboro for repairs
Bristol County has had 22 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Attleboro after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Attleboro archive →Attleboro and its neighbors
Attleboro is 3rd of the 7 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seekonk | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| North Attleborough Town | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 35 |
| Attleboro | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 58 |
| Pawtucket | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 30 |
| Cumberland | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 43 |
| Rehoboth | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Central Falls | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 27 |
| Valley Falls | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Attleboro faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Attleboro
Is Attleboro at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Attleboro has lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #147 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and hurricanes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Attleboro flood?
Flood insurance has paid 58 claims in Attleboro since 1978, $1.3M in all, or 3.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 52% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 8 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March 2010 Nor'easter (17).
Is Attleboro in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Bristol County, 56% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Attleboro?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Attleboro’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Attleboro?
By FEMA money that reached Attleboro, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): 670 households applied for aid, $871K approved, and $57K to the City of Attleboro for repairs. By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 17 paid, $305K.
Is Attleboro at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Attleboro’s rate for it is lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Attleboro.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Attleboro’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.